Tag Archives: nature

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Don’t be a dik.

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Or a Dik Dik as the case may be.

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Ever since I bought Poetry for Neanderthals from Facebook ( which we still haven’t played because Covid has killed game night with friends ) I’ve been getting ads. Some are interesting, some are ridiculous. I think this one falls into the latter category.

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*Note to self… Google Large Cockchafer*

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And while I’m sure having a handful of Slippery Dicks can be delightful, I think I’m probably going to pass on this one.

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I’d like to think my sense of humor is a tad more advanced.

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Though I am blogging about this… so the point might be moot.

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Catching up with backyard visitors.

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Just some random photos I cleared off my camera the other day.

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This was the last sighting of our blue eyed fawn from last year.

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Photos were taken in January and though we’ve seen some full grown deer this month, it’s hard to tell if he’s among them.

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Can you see the visitor in this pic?

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It’s a Red Tail Hawk who uses our backyard as his hunting ground.

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Close proximity to the bird feeders makes for some tasty dove nuggets.

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He’s a young hawk and is still mastering his technique.

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While it’s hard to see piles of feathers litter the ground, these birds of prey really are fabulous creatures. And if he swoops down and claims a certain red rodent….. I can’t say I’ll be heartbroken.

😈

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More beauty is in the eye of the beholder adoptees.

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The World Wildlife Fund’s symbolic adoption continues.

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Cute candidates abound but you know this fellow will be left out in the cold.

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No one will want to cuddle up with him on the couch. That dude needs a serious manicure.

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Honey Badgers get a bad rap and sure, they’ve been known to viciously kill humans… but I’d still rather adopt one of them than Honey Boo Boo.

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Most people find condors to be ugly birds, but come on…. he’s rocking that feather boa. It’s not an easy look to pull off.

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And finally there’s the wombat, a much maligned creature. Sure he poops square cubes and has a two pronged penis….. but hey, none of us is perfect.

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Our fine feathered friends.

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Part three, the last of the Photo Ark birds.

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Black and Red Broadbill

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these photographs as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them.

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Superb Bird of Paradise

This is my all time favorite weirdo bird. And if you don’t agree? Watch the short video clip and get back to me.

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Crested Auklet

Can you imagine having a permanent curlicue on your forehead?

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Red Headed Vulture

If you see this fellow flying around overhead… kiss your butt goodbye.

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Southern Lapwing

Is it me? Or is this beauty the perfect Dr. Seuss character.

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Lesser Flamingo

If you’ve never taken the time to watch a frolicking flock of flamingoes? You haven’t yet lived.

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Mandarin Duck

Birds…. beauty and grace in motion.

Just ask Joel.

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I bet you thought I was done.

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But I’m not done sharing wonderful photos from Joel Sartore because he has another book.

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Great Blue Turaco

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A book full of birds.

Northern White Faced Owl

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Our fine feathered….

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Baby Golden Parakeet

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And not quite feathered yet friends.

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Golden Pheasant

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Being an avid bird watcher and feeder, this book warms my soul.

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Kea

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I’ll try not to overshare.

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Andean Cock of the Rock

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But look at these beauties.

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Vulturine Guineafowl

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It’s going to be tough.

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Photo Ark… The Finale.

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Yes, these are the last photos I’ll post from this truly wonderful book.

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Malay Tapir

But look at that face! I couldn’t help myself.

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Sulawesi Stripe-faced Fruit Bat

I’m so very glad Joel Sartore followed his dream.

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Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The wonderful and wacky diversity of nature should be celebrated as well as protected.

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Watusi Cow

So that’s where the Watusi dance craze came from…. who knew?

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Varied Capuchin

I think we’ve all been there.

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Spix’s Macaw

Sadly, this lovely bird no longer exists in the wild.

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Florida Panther

And this graceful cat is hanging on by a thread.

We share our world with some fabulous creatures… please respect them and their need for a small corner of it.

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A real treat.

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A few more pictures from my camera last month.

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Look at this beautiful juvenile red tail hawk.

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Just hanging out on the bird feeder pole waiting for lunch to drop in.

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We see him cruising over the property now and then…

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But he rarely perches so close to the house for an extended period of time.

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Heck, he was even comfortable enough to take a bath.

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They really are spectacular creatures.

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Thanks for dropping by big guy.

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And if you happen to see a mangy little red squirrel wandering the roof line?

Please don’t miss.

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The Photo Ark… Part 6.

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More fabulous photos…

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Black and Rufous Elephant Shrew.

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Of more fabulous creatures.

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Himalayan Moran.

And look how happy some of them are to have their picture taken.

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Northern Tamandua.

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No, this isn’t a Rorschach test, but it could be.

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Atlantic Sea Spider.

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I see my late Mother in Law there, but you probably won’t.

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Hispaniolan Hutia.

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Bet that Hutia could make short work of momma red squirrel. Anyone know where I can rent a few?

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Waxy Monkey Frog.

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Damn, I wish my legs were that long.

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Platypus.

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Platypuses are proof positive evolution has a sense of humor. And a slight drinking problem.

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Red Celestial Eye Goldfish.

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Imagine how effective my eye rolls would be with those peepers.

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Horned Screamer.

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That fellow’s horn required a two page centerfold.  Men? You should be so lucky.

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African Moon Moth.

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I am completely in love with this moth. He has attitude to spare….

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She doesn’t give up.

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Neither snow nor rain… nor frigid temperatures will stop the red squirrel from Hell.

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She was scurrying over the roof and across the deck railing…

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Trying to make her way to the seed buffet.

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But this snow was light, fluffy and thick and every time she tried to walk across it?

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She fell through.

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And yes, I laughed my rapidly expanding, thank you Covid 19 ass off.

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But she had the last laugh.

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Because the bitch has learned to tunnel.

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She tunneled for over an hour.

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Back and forth.

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Building an entire red squirrel subway line.

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This doesn’t bode well for my dream of her dying of starvation over the winter.

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Or the safety of our home’s foundation for that matter.

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If I wake up next month with her sitting at the kitchen table nibbling my Krispy Kreme’s? Things are going to get real.

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